Pretty much. It is a little odd to me that the Ram's were the only ones able to figure it out though.

I dunno, the Seahawks did pretty well against the 49ers' offense, too. Our own offense sucked in the first game, but not so much in game 2.

/Sadly Cortland Finnegan is one of the smartest corners in the league//realized that when he shoved a WR out of bounds after the QB broke pocket on a play - pissed the WR off, but made him an ineligible receiver and you're allowed to do that once the pocket is broken

Article confirms two widely suspected beliefs from the 2012 NFL season: There was a reason the Rams were able to inexplicably out-play the 49er's, and Cortland Finnegan is a giant douche who writes at a 3rd grade level

IAmRight:my_cats_breath_smells_like_cat_food: AdamK: so basically the rams did what every team in the history of ever does? hell studying game film made peyton manning's career

Pretty much. It is a little odd to me that the Ram's were the only ones able to figure it out though.

I dunno, the Seahawks did pretty well against the 49ers' offense, too. Our own offense sucked in the first game, but not so much in game 2.

/Sadly Cortland Finnegan is one of the smartest corners in the league//realized that when he shoved a WR out of bounds after the QB broke pocket on a play - pissed the WR off, but made him an ineligible receiver and you're allowed to do that once the pocket is broken

Sherman does the same thing as soon as a QB breaks the pocket. Any good CB should dispatch a WR quickly as soon as the QB leaves the pocket. Any good WR should expect to get hit too.

IAmRight:my_cats_breath_smells_like_cat_food: AdamK: so basically the rams did what every team in the history of ever does? hell studying game film made peyton manning's career

Pretty much. It is a little odd to me that the Ram's were the only ones able to figure it out though.

I dunno, the Seahawks did pretty well against the 49ers' offense, too. Our own offense sucked in the first game, but not so much in game 2.

/Sadly Cortland Finnegan is one of the smartest corners in the league//realized that when he shoved a WR out of bounds after the QB broke pocket on a play - pissed the WR off, but made him an ineligible receiver and you're allowed to do that once the pocket is broken

See...but the Seahawks (and Ravens for the other guy who posted) have a good defense. We are talking about the Rams here... Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to say anyone broke rules or anything shady at all went on. It is just one of those things that makes me go "...really? Those guys figured it out? Weird..."

And yeah...Finnegan knows exactly what he does, and he is good at it. He knows how to push buttons and get a (oftentimes illegal) reaction out of teh WR's he is up against. And that is in addition to what you noted, which is that he knows the nuances of the rules applicable to his position, and has the alertness/presence-of-mind to know when he can take advantage of them. It isn't gaming the system even...it is a legit strategy/skillset...but dammit if it isn't annoying and makes everyone NOT on his team (or their fans) hate his guts.

seumasokelly:Sherman does the same thing as soon as a QB breaks the pocket.

Yeah, but Sherman is also smarter than probably every corner in the league.

my_cats_breath_smells_like_cat_food:It isn't gaming the system even...it is a legit strategy/skillset...but dammit if it isn't annoying and makes everyone NOT on his team (or their fans) hate his guts.

BUT it's also the reason he has a job/gets paid what he does. I like a CB that is going to piss people off and take them out of their games and maybe draw some personal fouls. Especially if he's going to keep doing it even when it might get him punched.

my_cats_breath_smells_like_cat_food:And yeah...Finnegan knows exactly what he does, and he is good at it. He knows how to push buttons and get a (oftentimes illegal) reaction out of teh WR's he is up against. And that is in addition to what you noted, which is that he knows the nuances of the rules applicable to his position, and has the alertness/presence-of-mind to know when he can take advantage of them. It isn't gaming the system even...it is a legit strategy/skillset...but dammit if it isn't annoying and makes everyone NOT on his team (or their fans) hate his guts.

Ohh yea, no one's saying it isn't a legitimate strategy (get in your opponent's head and all that). But it also means no one will shed a tear when you get your ass beat for it.

my_cats_breath_smells_like_cat_food:IAmRight: my_cats_breath_smells_like_cat_food: AdamK: so basically the rams did what every team in the history of ever does? hell studying game film made peyton manning's career

Pretty much. It is a little odd to me that the Ram's were the only ones able to figure it out though.

I dunno, the Seahawks did pretty well against the 49ers' offense, too. Our own offense sucked in the first game, but not so much in game 2.

/Sadly Cortland Finnegan is one of the smartest corners in the league//realized that when he shoved a WR out of bounds after the QB broke pocket on a play - pissed the WR off, but made him an ineligible receiver and you're allowed to do that once the pocket is broken

See...but the Seahawks (and Ravens for the other guy who posted) have a good defense. We are talking about the Rams here... Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to say anyone broke rules or anything shady at all went on. It is just one of those things that makes me go "...really? Those guys figured it out? Weird..."

And yeah...Finnegan knows exactly what he does, and he is good at it. He knows how to push buttons and get a (oftentimes illegal) reaction out of teh WR's he is up against. And that is in addition to what you noted, which is that he knows the nuances of the rules applicable to his position, and has the alertness/presence-of-mind to know when he can take advantage of them. It isn't gaming the system even...it is a legit strategy/skillset...but dammit if it isn't annoying and makes everyone NOT on his team (or their fans) hate his guts.

I get that as a corner you have to be smarter and work the boundaries of the rules to get any sort of edge, with the way the rules are set up to favor the offense. But other corners manage to do it without pissing off guys like Andre. Innegan just comes off as a douche whenever he's on screen.

UNC_Samurai:But other corners manage to do it without pissing off guys like Andre. Innegan just comes off as a douche whenever he's on screen.

Eh. From the Deadspin video, Johnson starts it by blocking from behind and getting away with it (nice to see that the official saw it but decided "nah, it's Andre Johnson!"), then his hands are every bit as much in Finnegan's face, he's just being a b*tch about it.

But hey, Johnson was a fantasy football star, so everyone slurps him and acts like he didn't do anything wrong.

I know you're joking, but they are a LOT better than they were just a few years ago.

Why would he/she be joking? They are the best division in football. Maybe the AFC/NFC North are in there too, but I don't think they quite measure up. At least on paper, the trio of Seattle, SF & STL puts the NFC West ahead of any other division out there. Were you to pit the NFC West against any other division in football in a round-robin home & away tournament, I'd expect them to come out on top.

I know you're joking, but they are a LOT better than they were just a few years ago.

Why would he/she be joking? They are the best division in football. Maybe the AFC/NFC North are in there too, but I don't think they quite measure up. At least on paper, the trio of Seattle, SF & STL puts the NFC West ahead of any other division out there. Were you to pit the NFC West against any other division in football in a round-robin home & away tournament, I'd expect them to come out on top.

Thank you.

And yes... they are the best Division in football AND most improved division in football

I know you're joking, but they are a LOT better than they were just a few years ago.

Why would he/she be joking? They are the best division in football. Maybe the AFC/NFC North are in there too, but I don't think they quite measure up. At least on paper, the trio of Seattle, SF & STL puts the NFC West ahead of any other division out there. Were you to pit the NFC West against any other division in football in a round-robin home & away tournament, I'd expect them to come out on top.

Thank you.

And yes... they are the best Division in football AND most improved division in football

Look at this: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

"Weighted Defense" rankings... the entire division is in the top 7. NFC West defenses are scary good...

OK, I stand corrected. I am just not used to anyone saying anything good about the Rams. I appreciate the analysis and am more than happy to take back what I said.

I know you're joking, but they are a LOT better than they were just a few years ago.

Why would he/she be joking? They are the best division in football. Maybe the AFC/NFC North are in there too, but I don't think they quite measure up. At least on paper, the trio of Seattle, SF & STL puts the NFC West ahead of any other division out there. Were you to pit the NFC West against any other division in football in a round-robin home & away tournament, I'd expect them to come out on top.

Thank you.

And yes... they are the best Division in football AND most improved division in football

Look at this: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

"Weighted Defense" rankings... the entire division is in the top 7. NFC West defenses are scary good...

OK, I stand corrected. I am just not used to anyone saying anything good about the Rams. I appreciate the analysis and am more than happy to take back what I said.

Fisher has done a good job of changing the mentality of that team. They were a dumpster fire before he showed up. Had a bunch of talent, but their coaching situation was worse than terrible. I wouldn't be totally surprised if they finish with a better than .500 division record, considering their recent success against SF and their 1-1 against Seattle (albeit, in Russell Wilson's worst game last year). They could manage a playoff spot even if they finish 3rd.

I know you're joking, but they are a LOT better than they were just a few years ago.

Why would he/she be joking? They are the best division in football. Maybe the AFC/NFC North are in there too, but I don't think they quite measure up. At least on paper, the trio of Seattle, SF & STL puts the NFC West ahead of any other division out there. Were you to pit the NFC West against any other division in football in a round-robin home & away tournament, I'd expect them to come out on top.

Thank you.

And yes... they are the best Division in football AND most improved division in football

Look at this: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

"Weighted Defense" rankings... the entire division is in the top 7. NFC West defenses are scary good...

OK, I stand corrected. I am just not used to anyone saying anything good about the Rams. I appreciate the analysis and am more than happy to take back what I said.

Yay! I won!

Seriously... the hating on the NFC West is basically old perception because prolly not more than 4-5 years ago... they were awful and played a pretty "soft" style of football. All four head coach positions have been turned over since 2010 and with them came new philosophies...

ESPECIALLY with the Rams... That a-hole Courtland innegan is the prime example of how tough, hard nosed and dirty (yes, dirty) they have become. Just ask Kevin Kolb.

I know you're joking, but they are a LOT better than they were just a few years ago.

Why would he/she be joking? They are the best division in football. Maybe the AFC/NFC North are in there too, but I don't think they quite measure up. At least on paper, the trio of Seattle, SF & STL puts the NFC West ahead of any other division out there. Were you to pit the NFC West against any other division in football in a round-robin home & away tournament, I'd expect them to come out on top.

Thank you.

And yes... they are the best Division in football AND most improved division in football

Look at this: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

"Weighted Defense" rankings... the entire division is in the top 7. NFC West defenses are scary good...

OK, I stand corrected. I am just not used to anyone saying anything good about the Rams. I appreciate the analysis and am more than happy to take back what I said.

Yay! I won!

Seriously... the hating on the NFC West is basically old perception because prolly not more than 4-5 years ago... they were awful and played a pretty "soft" style of football. All four head coach positions have been turned over since 2010 and with them came new philosophies...

ESPECIALLY with the Rams... That a-hole Courtland innegan is the prime example of how tough, hard nosed and dirty (yes, dirty) they have become. Just ask Kevin Kolb.

/Rams fan

Every team in the NFC West toes the line of overly physical/dirty play. Frankly, I prefer to have players who are cocky and physical, especially on defense. Having watched 10 years of "finesse" football as a Seattle fan, I'm over the moon that we now have a team that can bang with anyone and win.

my_cats_breath_smells_like_cat_food:And yeah...Finnegan knows exactly what he does, and he is good at it. He knows how to push buttons and get a (oftentimes illegal) reaction out of teh WR's he is up against. And that is in addition to what you noted, which is that he knows the nuances of the rules applicable to his position, and has the alertness/presence-of-mind to know when he can take advantage of them. It isn't gaming the system even...it is a legit strategy/skillset...but dammit if it isn't annoying and makes everyone NOT on his team (or their fans) hate his guts.

I'm a Titans fan, and I was watching that game when the fight went down. And as a fan, watching the best defensive back on my team getting pummelled by the best WR in the division, I could only sit back and think "Well, it's not like he didn't have that ass-beating coming".

Just because a guy plays for your team, doesn't mean you always have to defend him.

Gonz:my_cats_breath_smells_like_cat_food: And yeah...Finnegan knows exactly what he does, and he is good at it. He knows how to push buttons and get a (oftentimes illegal) reaction out of teh WR's he is up against. And that is in addition to what you noted, which is that he knows the nuances of the rules applicable to his position, and has the alertness/presence-of-mind to know when he can take advantage of them. It isn't gaming the system even...it is a legit strategy/skillset...but dammit if it isn't annoying and makes everyone NOT on his team (or their fans) hate his guts.

I'm a Titans fan, and I was watching that game when the fight went down. And as a fan, watching the best defensive back on my team getting pummelled by the best WR in the division, I could only sit back and think "Well, it's not like he didn't have that ass-beating coming".

Just because a guy plays for your team, doesn't mean you always have to defend him.

Getting Andre Johnson so tightly wound up that he was more focused on beating his arse than winning the game was an A+ job.

Pray 4 Mojo:Gonz: my_cats_breath_smells_like_cat_food: And yeah...Finnegan knows exactly what he does, and he is good at it. He knows how to push buttons and get a (oftentimes illegal) reaction out of teh WR's he is up against. And that is in addition to what you noted, which is that he knows the nuances of the rules applicable to his position, and has the alertness/presence-of-mind to know when he can take advantage of them. It isn't gaming the system even...it is a legit strategy/skillset...but dammit if it isn't annoying and makes everyone NOT on his team (or their fans) hate his guts.

I'm a Titans fan, and I was watching that game when the fight went down. And as a fan, watching the best defensive back on my team getting pummelled by the best WR in the division, I could only sit back and think "Well, it's not like he didn't have that ass-beating coming".

Just because a guy plays for your team, doesn't mean you always have to defend him.

Getting Andre Johnson so tightly wound up that he was more focused on beating his arse than winning the game was an A+ job.

Umm it was 17-0 Texans when the fight happened (Johnson already had a TD). The entire Texans team could've focused on beating his ass and still win the game.

grinding_journalist:show me: OK, I stand corrected. I am just not used to anyone saying anything good about the Rams. I appreciate the analysis and am more than happy to take back what I said.

It'd take me forever to find it, but I was saying that the NFCW was the best division in football in week 1 of last year, and people laughed.

Also, despite TFA, we need to keep in mind that the Seahawks and 49ers went 1-2-1 against the Rams last year.

seumasokelly: IAmRight: BTW, the Rams had a pretty good defense last year. Top 10 via FootballOutsiders.

In any other division, they're a playoff contender.

Sigh. I didn't think I'd ever want to be in any other division, but the until-recently-inept NFCW got really good, really fast.

/have 2 wildcards ever come from the same division?

Since going to four divisions in each conference for the 2002 season, these are the times it has happened:

In 2006, the Cowboys and Giants were wildcards, Eagles won the division.In 2007, the Jaguars and Titans were wildcards, Colts won the division.In 2007, the Redskins and Giants were wildcards, Cowboys won the division.In 2011, the Steelers and Bengals were wildcards, Ravenswon the division.Prior to that, there were three wildcards, and it happened more often.

prickly pete v2:In 2006, the Cowboys and Giants were wildcards, Eagles won the division.In 2007, the Jaguars and Titans were wildcards, Colts won the division.In 2007, the Redskins and Giants were wildcards, Cowboys won the division.In 2011, the Steelers and Bengals were wildcards, Ravenswon the division.Prior to that, there were three wildcards, and it happened more often.

So my takeaway from this is: A) The NFC West ain't so unique. B) The balance of power shifts quite frequently from year-to-year.

Slow To Return:The balance of power shifts quite frequently from year-to-year.

GASP

// more in football than the other major sports in terms of seasonal rankings, IIRC - probably due to a relatively small sample size// though baseball - yes, that one - has (or at least had, until very recently) the highest turnover of playoff-to-nonplayoff teams